Challenges for the Chicago Cubs as Season Nears Conclusion

Milwaukee Setback for Kevin Gausman

Kevin Gausman’s time with the Chicago Cubs has been inconsistent. His performances have varied, illustrating both his potential and struggles. During Wednesday night’s game at American Family Field, Gausman struggled. The Milwaukee Brewers scored seven runs against him, including six earned runs in just two innings. This early deficit affected the Cubs, who sparked a late comeback with five runs in the ninth but ultimately lost 8-6, culminating in a sweep by the Brewers.

Manager Craig Counsell expressed disapproval over the team’s performance, citing issues in multiple areas such as defense and bullpen. The Cubs have been inconsistent in Gausman’s seven starts, showcasing a range of outcomes, from quality starts to major challenges.

“We’re not playing good enough,” Counsell said. “We’ve got to do a little bit more collectively to win games.”

Christian Yelich’s three-run home run in the first inning was significant. In the second inning, Jackson Chourio and William Contreras added to the Brewers’ lead with home runs off Gausman’s pitches. Gausman acknowledged the need for better pitch execution.

As the Cubs look to regroup, they are currently riding a four-game losing streak. Their playoff hopes are becoming less certain.

Potential Playoff Concerns

The Cubs were once comfortably positioned for a playoff berth, leading by several games. However, after losing 16 out of 26 games, their margin for error has decreased. With a string of losses, they presently hold the second wild-card spot but are vulnerable to teams like the Phillies and Padres.

With 15 games left, the Cubs face critical matchups against playoff-bound teams. Continuing their earlier strong performances is essential for securing a playoff spot.

“Our job is to win games, that’s what we can control,” Counsell said. “It doesn’t affect any decisions. The decisions are happening during the game here.”

Ian Happ emphasized the team’s approach to controlling their own destiny, highlighting the urgency of the remaining games.

Struggles in the Bullpen

The Cubs’ bullpen has encountered difficulties in recent times. Jacob Webb has had several blown saves, and other relievers such as Daniel Palencia and Ryan Zeferjahn have faced similar issues. With the bullpen showing a 5.08 ERA, ranking low among MLB teams, swift improvement is crucial.

The Cubs lack defined roles for relievers, making it challenging to implement effective strategies. Flexibility remains key, yet consistency in performance is lacking. Recent games highlight how bullpen struggles have cost the team victories.

Home Run Challenges

The Cubs find themselves leading the league in home runs both offensively and defensively. The pitching staff has allowed the most home runs in MLB. This has been problematic, particularly with late-game leads lost to opposing hitters.

The team must address this in future strategies, especially given reliance on pitchers like Clay Holmes and David Peterson, who frequently use sinkers. Gausman’s splitter-fastball combination should produce groundouts but has instead led to more home runs allowed.

“We’ve hit a ton of homers recently, we’ve given up a lot of homers,” said Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations. “Obviously, that’s something we have to get work on.”

Gausman expressed confidence in the team, focusing on moving forward without dwelling on recent setbacks.